| "What's the difference between dementia and | | | | causes dementia. Many other illnesses or "syndromes" |
| Alzheimer's?" It's a common question, and doctors | | | | can also cause dementia. Parkinson's Disease can |
| are some of the best at confusing us. Physicians | | | | cause dementia. A stroke can cause dementia. Even |
| seem to prefer the word "dementia," possibly | | | | dehydration can cause dementia. |
| because Alzheimer's has become such a loaded word. | | | | Many of the things that can cause dementia are |
| "Dementia" somehow sounds less frightening to many | | | | treatable, even potentially curable. |
| people, and now even the experts have started | | | | If you have taken your elder to the doctor and |
| using the words interchangeably. | | | | received a diagnosis of "dementia" you haven't |
| They aren't interchangeable. Alzheimer's Disease and | | | | received a diagnosis at all. Unless you know what is |
| dementia are two very different things. | | | | causing the dementia you can't begin to treat it's |
| Dementia is a symptom. Pain is a symptom, and | | | | root cause. |
| many different injuries and illnesses can cause pain. | | | | If your physician has diagnosed "dementia" it's time |
| When you go to the doctor because you hurt, you | | | | for a second opinion. You are probably dealing either |
| won't be satisfied if the doctor diagnoses "pain" and | | | | with a physician who is not comfortable with the |
| sends you home. You want to know what is causing | | | | truth, or one who doesn't know how (or doesn't |
| the pain, and how to treat it. | | | | want to bother) to differentiate between all the |
| "Dementia" simply means the symptom of a | | | | possible causes of dementia. Either way, a skilled |
| deterioration of mental abilities resulting from an | | | | geriatrician or a neurologist who is comfortable with |
| unspecified disease or disorder of the brain. | | | | seniors would be a good place to start. |
| Alzheimer's Disease is one disease/disorder that | | | | |